ImageMagick is a collection of mostly command-line based tools that allow you to view, convert and edit graphics files.

At the simplest you might just use a command like "convert image.jpg image.png" to convert an image from one format to another.

But the program can also manipulate images (resize, rotate, crop or flip) add shapes or text, apply special effects, create animated GIFs from a sequence of images, create composite images, montages, and much more.

If you're used to regular Windows photo editors then the idea of working with images from the command line will seem a little odd, but the technique does have its advantages. Once you have the command to carry out some complex operation, like, say, convert a flat 2D label into a 3D object with the texture and colour that you need, then you can repeat it whenever you like on other images and achieve the same results, almost instantly.

Or, if you're a programmer, then you can call ImageMagick from your projects to create and modify images as and when you require. The program works just about anywhere, thanks to a host of interfaces that may be used via .NET, C++, PHP, Perl, Ruby, Java, COM+ and more. And ImageMagick is an open source project, so you're free to use, copy, modify or distribute it with your own software, however you like.

Spotlight: Free Full Software

WhatsApp Messenger is the world's most popular instant messaging app for smartphones.

You can use it to send and receive text and voice messages, photos, videos, even call your friends in other countries, and because it uses your phone's internet connection it might not cost you anything at all (depending on whether you'll pay data charges).

It's easy to set up and use. There's no need to create and remember new account names or pins because it works with your phone number, and uses your regular address book to find and connect you with friends who use WhatsApp already.

You can talk one-to-one or in group chats, and because you're always logged in there's no way to miss messages. Even if your phone is turned off, WhatsApp will save your messages and display them as soon as you're back online.

There's plenty more (location sharing, contact exchange, message broadcasting) and the app is free for a year, currently $0.99/ year afterwards.